The Malibu Guru

What happens when a $500,000 engine overhaul costs nearly as much as the airplane itself? Is the PA-46 community about to change the way we think about TBO? The culture of aircraft ownership plays a major role in how we fly, maintain, buy, and sell our airplanes. But as more Piper Meridians and JetPROPs approach engine TBO, that culture may be on the verge of a major shift. In this episode of The...

What happens when a group of PA-46 owners point their airplanes north and take on Alaska? In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with several of the pilots from the 2026 PMOPA Alaska trip, along with some of their spouses, to hear the stories behind the adventure. You’ll hear from Helen Cernik, Paul Stefaniak, Rusty and DawnElla Rust, Don Moore, Kenneth and Lori Van Ray, and fin...

There are flying trips, and then there’s flying a PA-46 to Alaska! In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe and Deanna Casey look back on the 2026 PMOPA Alaska adventure, led by Helen Cernick of Fly Boundless. This year’s trip included just four aircraft—two M600s, a Meridian, and a JetPROP—creating a smaller, more personal experience with more time to explore, fly, and take in Alaska's inc...

What do high-performance rifles and turbine airplanes have in common? For Adam Weatherby, it’s all about choosing the right tool for the mission, and sometimes that mission includes an elk that won’t fit in your airplane. In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe welcomes Adam Weatherby, third-generation leader of Weatherby, Inc., for a conversation about aviation, hunting, faith, and the pu...

Does an airplane's damage history make it a bad buy or a buying opportunity? In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe and Eric Earle look beyond the “damage history” label to explore what an aircraft’s past means for buyers, sellers, and owners. Drawing on real examples from the PA-46 market, they discuss component replacements, structural repairs, and why understanding what happened—and ho...

In Part 2 of our PA-46 and TBM Accident Analysis, Joe and David Forster continue breaking down what the NTSB data reveals about stall/spin accidents, loss of control on the ground, hard landings, in-flight damage, and other critical accident factors. More importantly, they examine what pilots can do about it. From flying the correct approach speed and maintaining coordinated flight to improving tr...

What can hundreds of accident reports teach us about flying the PA-46 and TBM more safely? In Part 1 of this two-part series, Joe sits down with David Forster, who reviewed and categorized every available NTSB accident report involving PA-46 and TBM aircraft. Together, they examine what the data reveals about emergency landings, engine failures, stall-spin accidents, spatial disorientation, and th...

Are you too tall for a PA-46? In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with David Forester, a 6'5" pilot and JetPROP owner, to talk about something taller pilots know all too well: not every cockpit is built for you. David shares his experience searching for a PA-46 that actually fit, including which models worked, which ones didn’t, and the small differences in seats, cushions, p...

Justin Sybesma’s path into aviation has been anything but slow. Since beginning his flying journey in 2020, he has continued to push himself through new ratings, new experiences, and eventually into ownership of a TBM 850. In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey talks with Justin about stepping into the turbine world, adjusting to the TBM's speed and performance, and the importance o...

In this Q&A episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe is joined by Baylee Ross, the newest member of the Casey Aviation Sales Team, to tackle some of the biggest questions coming from the PA-46 community. How strong is the PA-46 wing, and should pilots be concerned about turbulence? Is a TBM worth the extra cost over a Meridian? What should owners know about the move toward unleaded aviation fue...

What do we actually carry with us every day, and why?  In this episode, Joe and Eric open up their pockets and flight bags to compare the gear they use both in and out of the cockpit. From flashlights, knives, watches, and AirTags to headsets, tools, medical supplies, and other everyday essentials, they talk about what has earned a place in their bags and how their setups have changed over time. I...

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey sits down with longtime PA-46 owner Monty Chicola to hear the stories, close calls, and hard-earned lessons that come from thousands of hours in the cockpit. Monty shares how he got started in aviation, why he bought his first airplane sight unseen, and how the Piper Mirage changed the way he traveled with his family. He also recounts several u...

More horsepower brings more performance, but what does it mean for the airframe? In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey and Kenneth Hale take a closer look at how the JetPROP conversion affects the PA-46 airframe. They discuss common maintenance findings, structural life considerations, operating limits, and the importance of proper maintenance and disciplined flying. 🌐 Visit Us On...

Thinking about upgrading your airplane before you sell it? You could spend thousands and still not get that money back. In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with Casey Aviation sales specialist Eric Earl to discuss which aircraft upgrades actually improve resale value—and which ones are better left for the next owner. They break down some of the biggest decisions aircraft owne...

Did JetPROP change the future of Piper? In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe and Kenneth Hale dig into the history of the PA-46 and the rise of the JetPROP conversion. They talk about Piper’s challenges in the 1990s, why the PT6 was such a strong fit for the PA-46 airframe, and how JetPROP may have pushed Piper to bring the Meridian to market. It’s a fun look at PA-46 history, competiti...

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with John Moalli from Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands to talk about his aviation journey, his transition from Mooney to Baron to Cessna 206 and eventually into a JetPROP, and how aviation has shaped nearly every part of his life. John shares what it is like to live and fly from the San Juan Islands, why aviation is such an important p...

A-46 maintenance can be confusing, expensive, and full of myths, but knowing what is truly required can save owners major money.  In this episode, Joe Casey talks with Kenneth Hale, Director of Maintenance at Casey Aviation Services, to debunk common PA-46 maintenance myths. They discuss parts availability, battery life, annual inspection costs, service bulletins vs. ADs, Part 91 maintenance requi...

Is the aircraft market slowing down in 2026, or are good airplanes still moving? In this Summer 2026 aircraft market update, Joe Casey sits down with Eric Earl to discuss what is really happening in the PA-46, TBM, and King Air markets. With fuel prices rising, aircraft values shifting, and buyers trying to make sense of the current market, Joe and Eric break down what they see daily in aircraft s...

Buying an aircraft is a major decision, and the right airplane is not always the first one you find online. In this episode, Joe and Eric break down what it really takes to buy the right aircraft. From defining your mission and finding off-market opportunities to purchase agreements, pre-buys, borescopes, escrow, insurance, and training, they walk through the steps that can help buyers avoid costl...

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with JetProp owner Brendan Kiefer to talk about his aviation journey, from growing up around airplanes and studying aerospace engineering to eventually stepping into the PA-46 world. Brendan shares what led him from flying Mooneys into owning a JetPROP, why pressurization and climb performance became important for his family’s mission, and...

In this episode, Deanna Casey and Kenneth Hale take over the Malibu Guru Podcast to talk about one of the most overlooked topics in JetPROP ownership: Zero Fuel Weight. From wing cracks and fuel leaks to landing gear wear and expensive repairs, this conversation explains why loading the airplane correctly is about more than just performance; it is about protecting the structure of the aircraft. 🌐...

It’s another Q&A episode, and this one covers a little bit of everything in the PA-46 world. Joe Casey and Matt Courtney discuss the current PA-46 market, why turbine models are still moving despite high fuel prices, and what buyers are looking for right now. They also answer questions about JetPROP fuel tabs, turbine power limits, ice door usage, fuel sumping, Prist, prop overhauls, and wheth...

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe opens up about the mental and emotional side of aviation emergencies, including his catastrophic engine failure in a Mirage and a brake failure that resulted in a bent airplane. Beyond the checklist and technical response, pilots also have to manage shock, disbelief, fear, pressure, and decision-making in real time. This conversation looks at how tho...

A pitch trim runaway is one of the most dangerous situations a pilot can face, and it can happen fast. In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, we break down how it happens, why it’s so hard to control, and what you MUST do to recover. We also discuss recent real-world accidents and the critical importance of truly understanding your aircraft systems before it’s too late. 🌐 Visit Us Online - A...

In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with Luis Abascal to talk about one of the most powerful stories we’ve heard—overcoming a life-threatening neurological condition to become a PA-46 pilot and instructor. We dive into: • His journey from a wheelchair to earning his CFI • Flying and operating a PA-46 in South Texas and Mexico •What it’s really like flying internationally in y...